Mr. Hay to Mr. Thomas.

No. 51.]

Sir: I inclose copy of a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture, stating that he had been advised that either the Norwegian health department or that of Christiania would execute a much more rigid control of imported beef, pork, sausage, etc., than heretofore, and would require all certificates of inspection signed by the United States Government inspectors to be identified and certified by the Norwegian consul.

You will make appropriate representations in the line suggested by the Secretary of Agriculture, doing so by corresponding with the consul at Christiania, should the regulations be found to have been made by the local municipality.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Hay.

Sir: I am informed by Messrs. Swift & Co., of Chicago, that their representative at Christiania, Norway, informs them that after March 16, 1899, the health department (presumably of Christiania) will execute a much more rigid control of imported beef, pork, sausage, etc., than heretofore, and that it will be necessary for all certificates of inspection signed by Government inspectors to be identified and certified by the Norwegian consul. This representative of Messrs. Swift & Co. requests that the inspectors forward their signatures, with a certificate that they are authorized inspectors, and that this will be placed on file with the health department for identifiction of the certificates, and that, this being done, it will not be necessary to have each certificate certified by the consul.

Will you kindly request the American minister, or, if more convenient, the consul at Christiania, to look into this matter and see if any attempt is being made in Norway to discredit the certificates issued by this Government of the inspection of meat products.

This Department takes the ground that these certificates are Government certificates; that they bear the signature of the Secretary of Agriculture, and that the signature of the acting inspector at each place is countersigned for the protection of this Department and not for the information of foreign governments. It is inconsistent with the dignity of this Government to permit any questioning of these certificates or to assist in any plan of such governments to demand identification of the signatures of the inspectors. These certificates, as Government certificates, should be accepted without question.

Further, the plan of identifying the signatures of the inspectors at various points is entirely impracticable, because these inspectors are changed from place to place; [Page 722] they are often assigned to other duties, and frequently their connection with the service is severed; so that an effort to verify certificates from the signature of the inspectors would lead to much delay and annoyance to the trade.

I presume this is an order of the local board of health at Christiania, and that an explanation made by the United States consul or the minister would be sufficient to correct it and to secure the acceptance of our goods without any certificate of the consul that tne certificate of the American Government is properly issued.

I have, etc.,

James Wilson, Secretary.